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The headlines in Pakistan continue to laud the national team’s ICC World Twenty20 title triumph, but Younis Khan has said his team is ready for its next assignment. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the World Twenty20 final at Lord’s on Sunday but Younis says he is wary of a stronger showing by Sri Lanka when Pakistan tour there next month.

“The Sri Lanka tour will be a big challenge,” Younis said. “The celebrations become a matter of the past when you embark on the next tour, so I hope players get into a different mood soon. We will have to leave our World Cup win behind and focus on what is a very tough assignment against Sri Lanka.”

Younis admitted there was more pressure on Pakistan after their success in England but said his squad had the potential to take whatever came their way. “In Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka have a wise captain and their team is balanced with quality players, so we will have to be at our best to get positive results,” he said. “It will be double pressure on us because our people want wins in every match and after the Twenty20 success they want more success and that can put pressure on us, but we are ready for it.

“Twenty20 cricket was different and now Test cricket is different, it seriously tests the abilities of a player whereas I don’t think the abilities of a player can be gauged in a Twenty20 match.”

Saeed Ajmal, the offspinner, has been included alongside Danish Kaneria. Ajmal has yet to play Test cricket but was crucial in Pakistan’s success in England, with 12 wickets at 13.58. “Kaneria gives us variety and along with Saeed Ajmal supplements our spin bowling,” said Younis, “so it will be a keen contest between two balanced teams and I hope it will be a great series.”

Pakistan will play three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20. The tour begins with a three-day warm-up match in Colombo on June 29.
Source:Cricket News

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